Future of Northern Property Conference: Revolution and regeneration

A total of £2.3 billion has been invested in property in central Manchester in the last two years, helping to swell the city centre population from 400 to 20,000. This transformation is just one example of how Government policy and inward investments are changing the built environment in the North of England. As developers are crowded out of London, more and more investors are looking for opportunities in the North. Despite this progress, more growth is needed in order to meet the rising demand for affordable housing, commercial properties and warehouse space.

Join us for the Future of Northern Property Conference where policy experts and business leaders will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the real estate sector in the region. Learn how Brexit will impact on property investments, how developers can meet the diverse demands of the business and social housing sectors and how regeneration projects can shape the future of the post-industrial North.

Benefit from insights into the future of the commercial and residential property market in the North of England.

Have your questions answered by experts in regional and national property development.

Learn how leading developers are transforming the major cities in the North of England and addressing stark shortages in affordable housing and office space.

Network with other property developers and investors.

Plan ahead and anticipate the opportunities and challenges posed by the regional devolution agenda.

The Future of Northern Property Conference boasts a variety of outstanding speakers from across the public and private sectors. Each one has been handpicked based on their experience and professional background to ensure that all delegates benefit from relevant, high-quality presentations. Expect speakers to cover a wide variety of topics including:

Northern Powerhouse: The Government’s Northern Powerhouse agenda has helped promote the region to an international market and looks set to attract unprecedented levels of property investment. Speaking in November 2016, Northern Powerhouse Minister Andrew Percy said: “Investors from abroad know that the North has some of the world’s best and most talented entrepreneurs and businesses”. Overseas financers, most notably in China, have already invested heavily in purchasing and building new properties in the North. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has reported that this influx of capital could see property prices in the region rise faster than in the capital. What does the Northern Powerhouse agenda mean for property in the North of England and what opportunities does the policy offer to developers?

Affordable housing: A property boom in the North has the potential to exacerbate the lack of affordable housing in the region’s major cities. Many experts regard the decline in social housing stock in recent decades as a major contributing factor to this growing problem. The Institute for Public Policy Research has urged the Government to accelerate the devolution of housing policy to the North or risk a housing crisis on a national scale. In the wake of the EU referendum, the Local Government Association called for a "national renaissance" in council house building across the UK in order to meet an expect rise in demand. What role do the public and private sector have to play in solving the North’s housing crisis?

Places to work: Real estate experts point to a shortage of quality office space in the North as one of the major barriers to economic growth in the region. As well as lack of affordable office space for innovative new start-ups, there is growing concern that rising rents will push established firms away from the city centres. Meanwhile, an acute shortage of appropriate warehouse space is driving up industrial rents across the North of England. Major developments, including a £1 billion investment in Airport City Manchester, are creating new opportunities for commercial properties but more work needs to be done. What are the commercial property needs in the North of England and what steps need to be taken to meet the demand?

Working together: Public and private sector partnerships have delivered some of the most ambitious and successful property development projects in the North of England. What further opportunities are there for councils and Government departments to work with private companies to develop and regenerate underused areas of Northern cities?

Regeneration and renewal: As well as building new houses and commercial premises, the influx of investment into the Northern property market presents an opportunity to refurbish existing buildings and find new uses for old assets. Plans by Allied London to restore Manchester’s Grade II listed London Road Fire Station is just the latest example of this. How can the North make the most of its heritage assets while securing economic growth?

Chris joined the UK’s largest Chamber in 2003 as a Local Policy Manager direct from education charity Young Enterprise and after having spent 16 years working for a high street bank primarily focused on the start-up and SME market. His wide ranging role means he is responsible for all the chamber’s marketing activity and communications the events programme and campaigning work. His current position puts him in charge of all aspects of interaction and connection with the Chambers members, networks and the wider business community in Greater Manchester as well as key influencers, local authorities, politicians and other organisations.

He was responsible for the introduction of Action For Business which puts policy activity at the heart of the Chamber’s work. He authored and influenced the Chamber’s cutting edge Campaign for Business which identified and promoted the key issues for business in Greater Manchester ahead of the 2015 election and which will be repeated ahead of the 2017 GM Mayor election.

In December 2014 he was named in the Fresh Business Thinking Power 100 of key UK business influencers.

10.05

Keynote

Shelagh McNerney, Head of Development, Salford City Council

The Story of Salford

Growth

Development

& Place-Making

10.35

Sasha Deepwell, Chief Executive, Irwell Valley Housing Association

Our mission is:

"To create the conditions in which customers and colleagues can enjoy living and working and realise their full potential

Providing affordable housing solutions across the North West

Irwell Valley is a dynamic, innovative and ambitious housing organisation that provides services to over 16,000 people across the North West of England

Investing in our communities to ensure Greater Manchester’s population growth is managed effectively

11:00

Refreshments & Networking Break

11.20

Howard Gray, Technical Consultant, Green Blue Urban

Enabling green infrastructure to develop within urban environments

Advancing the process of successfully integrating trees in built up areas